We're hiring! Hennepin County environmental education, outreach, and research internships

Environmental education and outreach intern

We are seeking an environmental education and outreach intern who will support the county’s environmental outreach and education programs, assist with tours of Hennepin County waste facilities, and write communications related to the department’s environmental education programs. The intern will gain valuable environmental education and community engagement skills. The intern will work 16 to 20 hours for six months starting in March. Frequent evening and weekend hours for events and to support environmental education programs will be required. Learn more and apply by February 21.

Climate change audience researcher

We are seeking a graduate level student to conduct a climate change audience research project that will uncover the public's knowledge, interest, and attitudes regarding climate change. The researcher will help the county understand the public’s motivations and barriers to taking action on climate change in order to develop effective outreach programs and messaging strategies.

The researcher will conduct a literature review into research that has been carried out locally and nationally, facilitate conversations with partners about their public engagement around climate change, and develop an actionable summary report of the findings. This project is part of the county's development of a Climate Action Plan in 2020.

University of Minnesota natural resource educator

The University of Minnesota's Sustainable Forests Education Cooperative (SFEC) is hiring a natural resource educator to design, deliver, and evaluate innovative and relevant professional development and continuing education programs for Minnesota natural resource managers. This is a new position with primary responsibility to work with SFEC's 45 public and private organizational members to assess professional development needs; recruit workshop, symposium, webinar, and other event planning teams; and deliver top-quality programs that blend research-based and practical knowledge to meet those needs.

New environmental education resources

Promoting building material salvage, reuse, and recycling

Many building materials have the potential to be salvaged and reused or recycled. In fact, about 85 percent of the materials in a typical demolition project could be salvaged and kept out of landfills. But currently, only about 30 percent of building materials are reused or recycled.

Love Your Clothes video series

This Valentine's Day, we're encouraging people to show their clothing some love with our Love Your Clothes video series. Our sewing volunteers at a recent Fix-It Clinic did short video tutorials on how to patch a hole in a pair of jeans, fix a hem, darn a hole in a knit sweater, and sew a button.

Organics recycling outreach grants available to community groups in Minneapolis

Funding is available to neighborhood groups and community nonprofit organizations in Minneapolis to conduct outreach focused on increasing participation in the city's residential organics recycling program. Participating organizations will receive training, funding and environmental education resources to conduct a project in their communities.

New this year: organizations working in neighborhoods that have a 50% or greater sign up rate for organics recycling service should focus on strategies to encourage people to use their cart and divert more to organics recycling. Organizations working in neighborhoods that have less than 50% signed up for organics recycling service should focus on strategies to get more people signed up.

Program set up and schedule

Organizations can receive up to $10,000 to conduct outreach from April through December 2020. Up to 10 organizations will receive funding.

Organizations will receive tips and supplies to help them carry out their select outreach activities.

At least two representatives from each organization will attend a one-day training on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, to learn more about organics recycling, uncover the barriers to organics recycling with their audiences, and refine their project plan.

Learn more and apply

For more information, answers to questions, and feedback on project ideas, contact Jessica Arika at jessica.arika@hennepin.us612-348-3025.

Members needed: Hennepin County Race Equity Advisory Committee

Applications are being accepted for Hennepin County’s new Race Equity Advisory Council. The 16-member council will advise both the county board and county administration on their vision and strategy, which focuses on confronting and overcoming barriers that impact many residents, especially those of color.

By partnering with residents who are experiencing disparities and community partners who are assisting individuals and families impacted by disparities, the ability to reduce racial disparities and advance racial equity throughout Hennepin County will be more successful. Learn more about the council (PDF). Apply by 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25. Learn how to apply.

Trainings and conferences

Project Learning Tree K-8 Workshop

Saturday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the "Science House" behind the Science Museum of Minnesota

Save the date: Summer Institute for Climate Change Education

July 22 to 24 at Hamline University in St. Paul

Educators are invited to save the date for Climate Generation’s 15th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education! Educators from all subjects and backgrounds will gain the skills and confidence to teach climate change in the classroom. Learn more and register.